2013 Make A Difference Day: By The Numbers

Thousands of volunteers at more than 140 sites helped to make the 2013 Make A Difference Day one of the largest in SLU history.

Saint Louis University hosted another successful Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, with nearly 3,700 students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and community members registered to take part in the University's annual day of service.

"It's so inspiring to see this event grow each year — it's almost tripled in size since 2006," said Bobby Wassel, assistant director SLU's Center for Service and Community Engagement. "Our Billiken community and its support of our mission never ceases to amaze me. It really is a day that both our campus and the greater community looks forward to."

Make a Difference Day participants provided service at 140 community organizations, schools, churches and homes across the St. Louis area — the highest number of sites served in the event's history.

As with most years, students made up the biggest group of volunteers, making up nearly 90 percent of the day's 3,700 registered participants. Beyond students, this year, more than 300 faculty, staff, alumni and parents also participated.

Registered teams ranged in size from five volunteers up all the way up to Kappa Delta sorority's team of 197 volunteers.

Make a Difference Day is a national day of service that takes place on the fourth Saturday of October. The day was established in 1992 and is the largest community service effort in the nation. Each year, 3 million people participate worldwide, helping millions more. Learn more about the event online.